Committee publication · Correspondence · 1 July 2026
Correspondence from The Rt Hon David Lammy MP, Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, dated 30 June 2026: Launch of the Independent Review of the Prison System in England and Wales
From: Justice Committee
Summary
David Lammy notifies the Justice Committee of an independent review of the English and Welsh prison system launching 1 July 2026, chaired by Amber Rudd. The review will assess capacity, safety, workforce, security, and estate resilience, drawing on stakeholder engagement and international comparisons to develop recommendations for long-term strategy and investment priorities by year-end.
Key findings
- An independent review of the prison system will examine pressures across capacity, safety, workforce, security, and estate condition
- Amber Rudd appointed as Chair to bring cross-party credibility and experience at the highest levels of government
- Review will draw on stakeholder engagement, operational insight, international comparisons, and criminal justice system perspectives
- Review expected to report by end of 2026, operating independently of Ministers and the Department with expert panel and dedicated secretariat
- Written Ministerial Statement and Terms of Reference will be deposited in House Library and published on GOV.UK
Tone
ProceduralTopics
criminal-justiceprisonspublic-administrationworkforce
Key actors
David Lammy, Amber Rudd, Andy Slaughter, Justice Committee, Ministry of Justice
Notable line
“The Review will operate independently of Ministers and the Department, supported by a panel of experts and a dedicated secretariat.”
Key Quotes
“This Review will take a broad, system-wide view of the pressures facing the prison system in England and Wales.”
“Given the need for a review that commands confidence across Parliament and supports delivery over the long term, it is important that the Chair brings cross-party credibility and experience at the highest levels of government.”
“The Review will draw on a wide range of evidence, including stakeholder engagement and operational insight, to develop a set of recommendations aimed at strengthening the system's resilience and sustainability for the long term.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗